Lords asked to support Federation Time Limits campaign
9 September 2021
Police Federation officials are meeting members of the House of Lords to push for a change in the law which would bring an end to lengthy and damaging police disciplinary investigations.
Talks are taking place next week at New Scotland Yard when the Federation will propose an amendment to the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill to protect the mental health and welfare of police officers under investigation.
The move, part of the Police Federation’s ongoing Time Limits campaign, has been welcomed by West Mercia Police Federation branch chair Sarah Cooper.
She said: “The time taken to complete investigations into matters involving police officers is unacceptable and cannot be justified on any level. It is a further example of how the system treats our members in a less favourable way than would be acceptable in any other circumstance. The current practice is not only unfair and damaging to the officer under investigation, but also on the party looking for answers to their complaint.
“The impact of such investigations on mental health and wellbeing can be devastating, and it is only right that the Police Federation is pushing for a change in the law to protect its members.
“It is not unreasonable to expect police disciplinary investigations to be brought to a conclusion within 12 months of an allegation being made. Hopefully, we can secure a change in the law to ensure these needlessly lengthy investigations become a thing of the past.
“I have seen first-hand the impact these investigations can have on officers’ mental health and in turn their families. The stress and anxiety caused can cause lasting and sometimes irreparable damage. This has to stop.”
More than 40 outstanding investigations lasting more than a year have been reported during the last 18 months.
Protracted police conduct investigations are costing taxpayers millions of pounds each year with Police Federation estimates showing an investigation lasting up to six months costs £15,101 per officer but rockets to £302,012 when it drags on for five years or more.
The Home Office has added a clause to the regulations which means the Independent Office for Police Conduct, or appropriate authority, has to give an explanation if investigations last longer than 12 months but there is still no sanction.
National Federation conduct and performance lead Phill Matthews said: “Police and Crime Commissioners have absolutely no power to do anything other than welcoming the explanation.
“That can’t be right. It’s not right for our members who are still suffering the mental trauma of waiting to find out their fate, and unfair for those victims who deserve closure.”
After working with lawyers, the Federation is suggesting an amendment which would see a legally qualified person – who usually sits as a chair at disciplinary hearings - look at the investigation from the 12-month point to determine if the length of time is rational and set a reasonable deadline for the investigation to be concluded by.
The proposed amendment has already gained cross-party support but the Federation is urging the policing minister to discuss the beneficial change with its officials.
Phill said: “We don’t think the policing minister understands the full impact of the discipline system on our members and the public – that is a sad state of affairs for us.
“We are not after an absolute limit, we are pushing for something which is best for the public and police officers and would welcome a discussion with the policing minister on this important topic.”
Phill said things had improved in recent years but warned the Time Limits campaign still had much work to do.
He said: “There are cases going on for years and years which have a detrimental effect on our members’ wellbeing and mental health, plus the cost to the public is phenomenal.
“One investigation dragged out for a year or more is one too many from our point of view.”
